The Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) has within its remit the responsibility of type approving/accepting al of telecommunications terminal equipment intended to interwork with the public telecommunications networks in the country.  CCK is also responsible for type approving/accepting radio communication equipment intended for use in Kenya.

EQUIPMENT WHICH REQUIRE TYPE APPROVAL

All telecommunications terminal and radio communications equipment intended to be connected directly or to inter work with a public telecommunications network in order to send, process or receive information is subject to type approval.

The system of interconnection may be wire, radio, and optical or other electromagnetic system.

Examples of the said terminal equipment includes but not limited to:-

• Telephones (Ordinary, Executive, Secretarial sets)
• Cordless Telephones
• Telephone Answering and Recording systems
• Cellular telephones (GSM, ETACS etc)
• Payphones (Coin and Card operated)
• Call Monitoring and logging systems
• Subscriber Private Meters (SPMs)
• Facsimile Transceivers
• Call Routing Apparatus
  • Public Branch Exchanges (PBXs)
  • Key Telephone System (KTS)
  • Small Business System (SBS)
  • Multi line systems

• Voice Messaging Systems
• Data Modems and Fax Modems
• Multiplexers, Packet Assemblers/Disassemblers (PADs)

• Radio communication equipment
  • Citizen Band
  • Amateur Band
  • HF
  • VHF
  • UHF
  • Microwave
  • Radio paging terminals & transmitters
  • Alarm transmitters
  • Satellite
  • Telemetry & Command Modules etc

WHO REQUIRES TO SEEK TYPE APPROVAL?

Only duly registered Vendors within the liberalized telecommunications market in Kenya are allowed to market terminal equipment. They must, however, first obtain type approval from the Commission for each model of equipment model they intend to market prior to offering the equipment for sale.  Type approval is not required if the model has previously been type approved for marketing by another vendor.

The Commission shall not grant type approval  to the equipment manufacturer unless they are registered as terminal equipment vendors after fulfilling the mandatory licensing requirements.

Individuals who procure terminals of models that have already been granted Type Approval for marketing are not required to seek further type approval.

Individuals are, therefore, advised to ensure that any vendor offering them terminal equipment for sale first produces documentary proof that the model is Type Approved by the Commission.